Doncaster 2 Fleetwood 0

Rob Stocks

Fleetwood Town were made to pay for their defensive shortcomings - two first half goals sealing their fate at Doncaster Rovers.

Fleetwood started with confidence but couldn’t summon the quality which saw them cruise past Colchester United last weekend.

Graham Alexander named an unchanged side and their early confidence was clear - Town enjoying the Lions’ share of possession.

But a soft foul from Jimmy Ryan changed everything - Aaron Taylor-Sinclair swinging a free kick from the left channel, James Coppinger unmarked, applying a header 15 yards out which flew past Chris Maxwell.

The defending on that set piece was poor - the play for Doncaster’s second was appaling.

Danny Andrew wanted an age on the ball on the Fleetwood right, Coppinger stealing in, feeding the ball across the Andy Williams.

The Doncaster break was ruthless, Curtin Main sweeping the ball home.

Rovers had scored just once in their previous four League One outings and weren’t going to let their lead slip - Town forced to try and break down a resolute back line.

Town’s best chance came from a set piece - a low drive from Antoni Sarcevic saved low at the right hand post by Thorsten Stuckmann.

Rovers were happy to play on the break, nearly adding a third when Williams broke free, Maxwell denying the Rovers forward.

Declan McManus was denied a consolation with virtually the last kick of the game but Town didn’t have enough to battle back - confidence slipping away, defeat assured.